FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS | EXPRESS ENTRY

To immigrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker program, a foreign worker must have one (1) year of eligible experience and meet other requirements. Candidates are assessed under the six (6) selection factors, such as language skills, education, work experience, age, job offer, and adaptability in Canada.  Foreign skilled workers are gaining points under each, and need at least 67 points to meet the minimum eligibility criteria. An overview of all requirements is provided below.

To qualify for Express Entry Immigration as a Federal Skilled Worker, a candidate must reach at least 67 points (out of 100) under the six (6) selection factors. These criteria are components of a 100-point system “selection grid”. Each gives a certain number of the Federal Skilled Worker points. If a candidate gets 67 points or more, he can start immigration by registering an Express Entry Profile in the pool. However, only candidates with the highest CRS score are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Maximum points in the grid under six factors:

1. English or French Language Skills - 28 points max.
2. Education - 25 points max.
3. Work Experience 15 points max.
4. Age - 12 points max.
5. Arranged Employment in Canada/ Valid Job Offer - 10 points max.
6. Adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle in Canada) - 10 points max

Candidate must have one (1) year of work experience that was:

• in the same job

• paid

• continuous and

• gained within the last 10 years.

Importantly, only specified occupations and jobs are eligible for immigration under the Federal Skilled Worker Stream. The National Occupational Classification System (NOC) is used to assess whether a work experience, based on the skill type and level, is in the list of eligible occupations. Thus, skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the NOC are eligible. Candidate must show that all the duties specified in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC were done. 

Some examples of eligible occupations are managers, dentists, doctors, architects, chefs, plumbers, electricians. However, most of these professions are regulated in Canada. The provincial regulatory bodies govern lawyers, doctors, engineers, etc. In case a foreign worker immigrates in the occupation that is regulated, he or she would only be able to practice in that occupation if authorized by a regulatory body. In most cases, this means a provincial regulatory body licenses a candidate. 

All the requirements for work experience must be met. For example, if a foreign national volunteered or had an unpaid internship, this type of work does not meet the Federal Skilled Worker program requirements. If a candidate changed companies and has a time gap between the old and new jobs, this experience does not count either.

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program, a candidate must achieve a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The candidate can choose to take either the English or French language test. For English, two options are available: CELPIP or IELTS. However, only the "General" option (not academic) is accepted under the Express Entry. For French, the only acceptable option is the TEF test. The language test result is accepted if it is less than two (2) years old from the day the candidate submits or applies for permanent residence. Language test equivalency charts are available to convert IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF results into corresponding CLB levels.

To meet the education requirement and obtain points, a foreign national must provide a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary school. Candidates who have completed their education outside of Canada must demonstrate that their foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian one:

• Comparative Education Service (CES), University of Toronto;

• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS); 

• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES), British Columbia Institute of Technology; 

• International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), Government of Alberta; 

• World Education Services (WES); 

• The Medical Council of Canada (MCC); 

• The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC).

Applicants must provide evidence that they have enough money to cover basic needs for themselves and their family. The amount of money required depends on the size of the family, which includes:

• Applicant

• Spouse or common-law partner

• Dependent children (under 22 years old), and

• Spouse’s dependent children.

1 - $13,310

2 - $16,570

3 - $20,371

4 - $24,733

5 - $28,052

6 - $31,638

7 - $35,224

Each additional family member - $3,586

For example, a family of one (1) person - an applicant - would need to show proof of funds amounting to $13,310 CAD, while a family of seven (7) people would need to show $35,224 CAD. However, there is no need to prove funds if the candidate has a valid job offer from a Canadian company or is currently authorized to work in Canada.